Today's Trivia and What Happened on October 16

In the TV series Gilligan's Island, what was Gilligan's first name?

In the TV series Gilligan's Island, what was Gilligan's first name? Close Large View

Willy. His first name was used in press releases for the show, but it was never used in any of the actual episodes of Gilligan's Island.

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Quote: A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. - Alexander Pope

Quote: A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. - Alexander Pope Close Large View

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What Happened On

Lost in Space

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Lost in Space

October 16, 1997

According to the storyline of the TV show Lost in Space, October 16, 1997 is the day the fictional Jupiter II is launched from Alpha Control.
The TV series itself ran from 1965-68.

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Topless Woman Found in Where's Waldo Puzzle

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Topless Woman Found in Where's Waldo Puzzle

October 16, 1992

The popular children's puzzle was reported to show a topless female sunbather baring her breasts.

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Gilligan's Island - Lost Pilot Episode

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Gilligan's Island - Lost Pilot Episode

October 16, 1992

The pilot for Gilligan's Island is finally aired - 28 years after the series began. Although the pilot was filmed in 1963, because of cast changes, it wasn't aired until 1992. The pilot's cast differed from the series with Kit Smythe as Ginger, John Gabriel as the high school science teacher/professor, and Nancy McCarthy as Bunny (Ginger's co-worker from Kansas that became Mary Ann in the series).
Trivia: The Skipper character's name was Jonas Grumby. What was the Gilligan character's first name? Answer…

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Luby's Cafeteria Massacre

October 16, 1991

George Hennard drives his pick-up truck through the front window of the Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas and opens fire with semi-automatic weapons killing 23 people and wounding 27 others before killing himself. As he was shooting, he yelled, "All women of Killeen and Belton are vipers! This is what you've done to me and my family! This is what Bell County did to me. This is payback day!"

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Nuremberg Trials Executions

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Nuremberg Trials Executions

October 16, 1946

Ten of the 12 former Nazi leaders who had been sentenced to death are hanged. Hermann Göring committed suicide the night before and Martin Bormann, who was convicted in absentia, had died the previous year.

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He Didn't Know It Couldn't Be Done, So He Did It

He Didn't Know It Couldn't Be Done, So He Did It Close Large View

He Didn't Know It Couldn't Be Done, So He Did It

October 16, 1928

A patent is awarded for the first practical light bulb frosted on the inside. As a practical joke, new employees at General Electric's National Electric Lamp Company were assigned the task of making a practical light bulb frosted on the inside, as it was believed impossible to do. Until new employee Marvin Pipkin was assigned this task - and did it.

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Radio installed on a baby carriage Radio installed on a baby carriage

Radio installed on a baby carriage Radio installed on a baby carriage
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First Commercial Radio License

October 16, 1920

The first license for a commercial radio station is applied for, KDKA in Pittsburgh.
KDKA was originally intended to operate as private radiotelegraph links between Westinghouse's East Pittsburgh factory and its other facilities, to avoid the business expense of paying for telegraph and telephone lines. But, after the success of its broadcast of the November 1920 U.S. presidential results, it began providing regular entertainment programs.

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The executioner showing Marie Antoinette's head to the people The executioner showing Marie Antoinette's head to the people

The executioner showing Marie Antoinette's head to the people The executioner showing Marie Antoinette's head to the people
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Marie Antoinette Guillotined

October 16, 1793

Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France is guillotined for treason and attempting to incite a civil war. She was disliked by her people for her extravagances and politics.

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Iraq War

October 16, 2002

The "Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq" is signed into law by President George W. Bush authorizing what was soon to become the Iraq War.

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Genetically-Altered Food

October 16, 1992

The "Flavr Savr" tomato becomes the first genetically-altered plant approved by the USDA for growing and transport without a special permit. It was approved for sale in 1994.

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$4,250,000 a Day

October 16, 1992

John Haggin marries Roxanne Pulitzer. This caused his mother to cut him off from a $200,000,000 fortune. They filed for divorce December 2; that's about $4,250,000 a day.

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Jessica McClure

October 16, 1987

The 18-month-old baby is rescued from a 22-foot-deep shaft she had fallen into 58½ hours earlier.

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Penn & Teller

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Penn & Teller

October 16, 1985

The magicians Penn & Teller "magically" produce 500 live cockroaches and let them loose on Late Night with David Letterman.
After their previous appearance, Letterman had asked that they come back and play a mean joke on him. This was the joke.

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First Polish Pope

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First Polish Pope

October 16, 1978

Pope John Paul II is elected.

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Smith (center) and Carlos with fists raised in protest Smith (center) and Carlos with fists raised in protest

Smith (center) and Carlos with fists raised in protest Smith (center) and Carlos with fists raised in protest
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Olympic Black Salute

October 16, 1968

During their Olympic medal ceremony, African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the U.S. national anthem. They faced the U.S. flag and kept their hands raised until the anthem finished. Smith claimed the gesture was a "human rights salute", not a "Black Power" salute. The two athletes were then expelled from the games.
Smith had won gold and Carlos had won bronze in the 200-meter running event.
After the event, Time magazine wrote: "'Faster, Higher, Stronger' is the motto of the Olympic Games. 'Angrier, nastier, uglier' better describes the scene in Mexico City last week."
In later years the incident was viewed as an act of courage, and in 1982 Carlos was hired to act as a liaison with the city's black community for the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

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Ann Landers

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Ann Landers

October 16, 1955

The Ann Landers column gets a new writer - Esther Pauline Friedman. Her twin sister was the original Dear Abby columnist.

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Evolution Banned in Texas

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Evolution Banned in Texas

October 16, 1925

Textbooks containing Charles Darwin's theory of evolution are banned by the Texas State Text Book Board.

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John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

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John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry

October 16, 1859

Abolitionist John Brown captures the U.S. arsenal near Harper's Ferry, Virginia. He was trying to initiate an armed slave revolt. Brown's party of 22 was defeated by 88 U.S. Marines plus state militia. Ten of Brown's party were killed, including two of his sons. Brown was later captured by Col. Robert E. Lee and hanged. One Marine and six civilians were killed.
Brown had asked Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass to join in his raid, but Tubman was prevented by illness and Douglass declined, as he believed Brown's plan would fail.

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Yale University

October 16, 1701

A charter is granted for a collegiate school in New Haven, Connecticut. It later became Yale University.

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Birthdays

Oscar Wilde

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This is a birthday

Oscar Wilde

Born October 16, 1854 d. 1900

Irish poet and playwright. He was imprisoned for homosexuality (1895-97). He was one of the most popular playwrights of London in the 1890s. When Wilde attempted to prosecute his lover's father for criminal libel, evidence was uncovered that led to his own arrest in what was one of the first celebrity trials. He was convicted of gross indecency for consensual homosexual acts and imprisoned from 1895 to 1897.
He died of meningitis at age 46. His last words were, "Either that wallpaper goes, or I do."
Writings: The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891), The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), and The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898, which described his prison experience).
Quote: "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all."

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Major Walter Clopton Wingfield Major Walter Clopton Wingfield

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield Major Walter Clopton Wingfield
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Inventor of Lawn Tennis

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield

Born October 16, 1833 d. 1912

British tennis pioneer. Inventor of modern lawn tennis (1874).

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This is a birthday

Tim Robbins

Born October 16, 1958

American actor. Film: Howard the Duck (1986) and Bull Durham (1988).

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Suzanne Somers

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Suzanne Somers (Suzanne Marie Mahoney)

Born October 16, 1946 d. 2023

American actress. TV: Three's Company (1977-81, Christmas "Chrissy" Snow), She's the Sheriff (1987-89, Sherriff Hildy Granger), Step by Step (1991-98, Carol Foster-Lambert), and infomercial spokeswoman for the Thighmaster. She was a prize model for the game show Anniversary Game (1969-70), which was hosted by her future husband Alan Hamel. Film: American Graffiti (1973, the blonde in the white T-Bird).
In 1970, Somers was arrested for passing bad checks totaling about $100. She avoided prosecution by paying off the checks. At the time she was still a struggling actress, model, sales clerk.

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This is a birthday

C.F. "Fred" Turner

Born October 16, 1943

Canadian singer, with Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Music: Takin' Care of Business (1974) and You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (1974, #1).

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Barry Corbin

Born October 16, 1940

American actor. TV: Northern Exposure (former astronaut Maurice).

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Andrei Chikatilo

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Andrei Chikatilo

Born October 16, 1936 d. 1994

Russian serial killer. As Russia's most prolific serial killer, he was executed for the murder and cannibalism of at least 52 women and children between 1978 and 1990. Another man was mistakenly executed for these crimes.

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Angela Lansbury

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Angela Lansbury

Born October 16, 1925 d. 2022

Irish-British-American Tony-winning actress. TV: Murder She Wrote (1984-96, Jessica Fletcher).

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Eugene O'Neill

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Eugene O'Neill (Eugene Gladstone O'Neill)

Born October 16, 1888 d. 1953

American Nobel-Pulitzer-winning playwright. O'Neill is also the only playwright to win four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. He was also Time magazine's 1924 Man of the Year.
Writings: The Iceman Cometh (1946) and Long Day's Journey into Night (1956, published posthumously).

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Inventor of the Variable-Pitch Propeller

Wallace Rupert Turnbull

Born October 16, 1870 d. 1954

Canadian aviation pioneer. Inventor of the variable-pitch propeller (1927) used on airplanes.

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Charge of the Light Brigade Charge of the Light Brigade

Charge of the Light Brigade Charge of the Light Brigade
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Charge of the Light Brigade

Seventh Earl of Cardigan (James Thomas Brudenell)

Born October 16, 1797 d. 1868

English soldier. He led the Charge of the Light Brigade (1854) and for whom cardigan sweaters are named.

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Noah Webster

Born October 16, 1758 d. 1843

American lexicographer, schoolmaster to America. Works: Blue-Backed Speller (1783) and An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828).

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Deaths

Barbara Billingsley

Barbara Billingsley Close Large View
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Barbara Billingsley (Barbara Lillian Combes)

Died October 16, 2010 b. 1915

American actress. TV: Leave It to Beaver (1957-63, June Cleaver), The New Leave It to Beaver (1985-89, June Cleaver), and Muppet Babies (1984-91, voice of Nanny). Film: Airplane! (1980, the elderly passenger who spoke jive).

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Postel with hand-drawn map of Internet top-level domains Postel with hand-drawn map of Internet top-level domains
Photo Credit: Credit

Postel with hand-drawn map of Internet top-level domains Postel with hand-drawn map of Internet top-level domains
Photo Credit: Credit
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God of the Internet

Jonathan Bruce Postel

Died October 16, 1998 b. 1943

American computer scientist, Internet pioneer. Referred to as the "God of the Internet." He was responsible for assigning addresses to domain names and for editing RFCs (Request for Comments). Also known for Postel's Law: "Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others."

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Douglas Campbell

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First American-Trained Flying Ace of WWI

Douglas Campbell

Died October 16, 1990 b. 1896

American aviator, WWI flying ace. He was the first American flying in an American unit to achieve the status of ace when he downed his fifth enemy aircraft (May 31, 1918). He and Lt. Alan F. Winslow scored the first victories by fighter aircraft of an American-trained flying unit in the war (April 14, 1918).

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Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette Close Large View
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Marie Antoinette

Died October 16, 1793 b. 1755

Queen of France. Disliked by her people for her extravagances and politics, she was guillotined for treason and attempting to incite a civil war.

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Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the film From Here to Eternity Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the film From Here to Eternity

Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the film From Here to Eternity Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the film From Here to Eternity
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Deborah Kerr (Deborah Kerr-Trimmer)

Died October 16, 2007 b. 1921

Scottish actress. Film: From Here to Eternity (1953) and The King and I (1956, Anna).

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Eugene Lee

Eugene Lee Close Large View
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Porky - "O-tay"

Eugene Lee

Died October 16, 2005 b. 1933

American actor. The Little Rascals (Spanky's little brother Porky). He appeared in 42 Our Gang films. "O-tay!"

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Rick Jason

Died October 16, 2000 b. 1923

American actor. TV: Combat! (1962-67, Lt. Gil Hanley).

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James A. Michener

Died October 16, 1997 b. 1907

American Pulitzer-winning author. Writings: Tales of the South Pacific (Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948), and The Bridges at Toko-ri (1953).

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Shirley Booth

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Shirley Booth (Thelma Booth Ford)

Died October 16, 1992 b. 1898

American Oscar-Tony-Emmy-winning actress. TV: Hazel (1961-66, title role).

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Cornel Wilde (Cornelius Wilde)

Died October 16, 1989 b. 1912

Hungarian-American actor. Film: A Song to Remember (1945, Chopin). He quit the 1936 U.S. Olympic fencing team to pursue his acting career.

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Wilhelm Frick

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Wilhelm Frick

Died October 16, 1946 b. 1877

German Nazi politician. He became State Minister of the Interior and of Education in the coalition government of Thuringia, making him the first Nazi to hold any ministerial-level office in pre-Nazi Germany (1930). He used his position to replace officials with Nazi Party members and banned several newspapers as well as pacifist drama and film performances. He served as Reich Minister of the Interior in Adolf Hitler's Cabinet (1933-43) and as the last governor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. After World War II, he was tried and convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg Trials and executed by hanging.

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Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac

Died October 16, 1730 b. 1658

French explorer. Founder of Detroit, Michigan (1701) and for whom the Cadillac automobile was named.

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Gregory XIV (Niccolò Sfondrato)

Died October 16, 1591 b. 1535

religious leader, 229th Pope (1590-91).

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